Post by rcbbracing on Dec 12, 2011 19:56:30 GMT -5

What size bait do you guys consider too big for flatheads? We typically run from eight inches up to about eighteen inches...if we can keep it planted that's all that matters. You guys ever consider a bait too big?

Post by smokey869 on Dec 12, 2011 22:47:41 GMT -5

i always run live baits under 12 inches, my favorite are hog nose suckers 8-12 inches long, i know yall think bigger bait bigger fish, but if the biggest fish in the hole you are fishing cant get an 18 inch bait in its mouth its a big waste of time, i caught my pb on and 8 inch bait, and i have caught a few flats the last few years of 22,37 and matts 38 were all on cut shad? i think if a big one is in there and you get a good lively bait in front of them it doesnt have to be huge, just my opinion

Post by Seanstone on Dec 12, 2011 23:21:54 GMT -5

I agree. My pb was caught on a 6 inch goldfish. The only reason I could justify using a large bait is if you cant keep the little flats or channels off of your smaller baits. With that being said, if your targeting a 40+ pounder and you don't care if you have to sit night after night without bites. Then I imagine that there isn't a largemouth/smallmouth swimming in Ohio that a 40 pounder wouldn't try to eat. (ok so that might be a little exadurated...lol) If you can find a way to fish baits that large, I imagine they would eat up to a 8 pound fish. I have heard stories of guys using 3,4, and even 5 pound carp as bait for flats. Personally it's not worth the time and hassle to use such baits. I typically get a 5 gallon bucket, fill it with a dozen or two lively chubs, gills, or goldfish and go fishing. Its not easy to haul around a dozen pound fish, and if it were, you would have to use 10oz of weight to hold them and trim their fins to keep them down. Personally I have only used live bait up to a pound, and never caught anything on large bait anyway. Cut baits are a different story altogether....but thats for another thread.

Post by rcbbracing on Dec 12, 2011 23:48:23 GMT -5

Fishing out at clendening we typically will catch fifteen to twenty five lb fish on 16+- inch suckers...I don't believe you have to use big baits for big fish at all... but I believe bigger baits with make more commotion and be more easily detected...I use em for the attention they draw lol but my pb 39lb 10oz was caught on a large eater sized bluegill...sure there are plus and minuses on both...this is the kinda of chatter I was hoping to hear....hoping to find someone out there to agree with me tho lol

Post by Smoothkip on Dec 13, 2011 1:16:37 GMT -5

I run large live baits and have been successful with them. My reasoning is deter smaller fish from taking my baits. Thing is I've caught 12# flats on 2 pound largemouth. I'm the type to sit all night for one bite. That's just me though, I don't catch half the numbers that most guys catch but usually are quality fish when I do. As stated above though it's not a necessity and can be a pain in the butt keeping and caring for them. The hognosed sucker like Dave said would have to be my most productive bait. Big or small.

Post by rcbbracing on Dec 13, 2011 23:37:36 GMT -5

Post by Catfishrollo on Dec 19, 2011 18:57:56 GMT -5

There is no bait to big in my opinion when targeting big fish. We run a variety of baits and sizes when out fishing. Hand sized gills or greensunfish are a favorite. Big bullheads, to even 2 pound largemouth. I have even tried carp over 3 pounds before. That was interesting! rollo

Post by rcbbracing on Dec 19, 2011 20:53:47 GMT -5

There is no bait to big in my opinion when targeting big fish. We run a variety of baits and sizes when out fishing. Hand sized gills or greensunfish are a favorite. Big bullheads, to even 2 pound largemouth. I have even tried carp over 3 pounds before. That was interesting! rollo

Haha thank u rollo ...I felt a lil embarrassed to admit I had run carp that big before lol u ever get a run on a big carp? I have ran carp a million times and have very limited success on em... but great luck with things similar sized like suckers and bass... wonder if carp is less of a preference for em?

Post by rcbbracing on Dec 19, 2011 21:25:36 GMT -5

I completely agree man...often times I do great on eater sized bluegills...varmintsniper caught his pb flat 45+lbs on like a four inch Bullhead when plenty bigger baits were available...for whatever reason I guess they prefer a snack to a meal ...bigger is not always better but I don't get the same thrill catching five lbers as I do 25+lbers so if I run massive baits it cuts out the little guys theoretically ...probably catch far more fish if I downsized baits...usually run atleast one sunfish all night and rest bigger baits...I enjoy the novelty of dreaming big and hoping for the fish of a lifetime I guess

Post by Catfishrollo on Dec 20, 2011 11:28:24 GMT -5

There is no bait to big in my opinion when targeting big fish. We run a variety of baits and sizes when out fishing. Hand sized gills or greensunfish are a favorite. Big bullheads, to even 2 pound largemouth. I have even tried carp over 3 pounds before. That was interesting! rollo

Haha thank u rollo ...I felt a lil embarrassed to admit I had run carp that big before lol u ever get a run on a big carp? I have ran carp a million times and have very limited success on em... but great luck with things similar sized like suckers and bass... wonder if carp is less of a preference for em?

We have actually done pretty well over the years on the rivers running decent sized carp. But to answer your question, not on ones over 3 pounds! Eight to fifteen inches have caught us some good fish in the past... rollo

Post by katfish on Dec 24, 2011 17:02:17 GMT -5

I usually go with the easiest most abundant baits I can procure. Live bluegill can be caught before fishing and if feeding flathead find them they eat them.The flathead are opportunist and so am I. At times I get suckers or small carp and include them as part of my bait. In the rivers I often see smaller flathead with huge baits stuck in their throats but I am not convinced they eat them by choice. They must feed on whatever they can catch.

In warmer weather it is difficult to keep any baits lively and when water temperature restricts the lifespan of my gills to less than 10 hours I often change to using goldfish.

I believe their are more times during the year that flathead would prefer a bluegill size bait than something larger. I also feel that there are times that they may eat a bluegill size bait from reflex when they are not actively feeding. If a higher percentage of 40+ flathead will take a gill sized offerring more often than a larger bait it makes sense to me to use them.

If I have a large bait I often put it between gills on the idea the vibrations may attract a flathead that is curious and I don't care which one he takes ;D

I would advise that everyone experiment and use the size bait that works best. I change up size throughout the yearwhen I feel size may make a difference in my results.

Post by joeyfri13 on Dec 29, 2011 19:06:08 GMT -5

usually use what i can catch easily or already have in my bait tank mostly med sized bluegill with an occasional big boy mixed in, but if i know i am going to fish a place like a dam i will make a special trip to try to get some large suckers or small carp.